Featured SJ Event

Unitarian Universalist and Social Justice Facilitator, Chris Crass will offer a one day workshop entitled "Courage for Racial Justice, Courage for Collective Liberation." Workshop will begin with brief worship and include small and large group discussions, storytelling from preselected congregations, theological reflection, and participatory exercise. Concluding segment will focus on "What are you bringing back to your congregation?" and "How will you be accountable for y...

UUs Stand with Ferguson

We’ve been asked to post this message from the Ferguson Response Team, which includes UU ministers in St. Louis, as well as UUA staff and other UU leaders. If you are looking for ways to respond, to support those working for justice in Ferguson, or to learn more about the situation there, please read this message and share it with others in your congregation.

Dear UU Leader:

People around the country are preparing for the prosecuting attorney to announce the grand jury's decision whether to indict Officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson.

Indications point to a grand jury announcement soon, possibly between Election Day and Thanksgiving. An indictment is extremely unlikely, but whatever it is, whenever it is, there will be much pain and anger that will be expressed in a variety of ways, some constructive and some not.

Our deep theology as a justice-seeking people calls upon us to show up for this. Many of you have asked what you can do. We urge you to help us to SHOW UP in any of the following ways: (And remember: the most current information will be found on the Standing on the Side of Love Ferguson page.)

BEFORE THE GRAND JURY REPORT

Seek in-depth information and perspective on the protests in St. Louis. Mainstream media has gotten a lot of things wrong, or simply paints an unfair portrait of people who are resisting racial profiling. Read and share these stories to counter others that people are hearing.

Tie your work to the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Selma. We can't congratulate ourselves for our work 50 years ago and not address the major civil rights revolution of our time.

AFTER THE GRAND JURY REPORT

Hold a vigil in your own community. Use this opportunity to shine a spotlight on racial profiling where you are. Personally reach out to others in your area to encourage their participation. This does not have to be limited to UU colleagues. This is an excellent time to bring congregations together.

Getting to and around in St. Louis may be difficult in the time immediately following the announcement. It will also take organizations awhile to prepare actions for a national call. Please watch for information about a call to come to St. Louis.

Stay updated on the St. Louis Standing on the Side of Love page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stlstandingonthesideoflove. We will be keeping an eye out for the next "Ferguson October" event, which was beautifully organized by multiple organizations and facilitated safe, positive participation.

Should protests arise in your area, show up in support. Follow the lead of the African American community, and check in with interfaith groups.

Seek de-escalation training and serve as de-escalators. Join organizations that are monitoring police. It may require soul-searching about what you can and cannot support, but that too is important work. "We need not think alike to love alike."

And finally: photograph and document everything you do. Our people need to see a giant splash of yellow Standing on the Side of Love shirts in both the physical and virtual worlds at this time. Post them on your website, Facebook pages, and to St. Louis SSL. If you use Twitter, use #UUwithFerguson. For UUA distribution, send photos and stories to love@uua.org.